Ranunculus ficaria
| Ranunculus ficaria | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Early Spring-Late Spring |
| Meadows Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Ranunculus ficaria (common name: lesser celandine)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. This species doesn't really need any help from us.
Division in spring.
Cultivation: Prefers a moist loamy neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or shade[1][2].
A very common and invasive weed[3][4], especially when growing in the shade because this encourages formation of bulbils at the leaf bases[2]. You would regret introducing it into your garden, though it might have a place in the wild garden[4]. This is, however, a polymorphic species[4] and there are a number of named forms selected for their ornamental value[5]. These are normally less invasive than the type species.
The plant flowers early in the year when there are few pollinating insects and so seed is not freely produced[6]. The plant, however, produced tubercles (small tubers) along the stems and each of these can grow into a new plant[6].
Grows well along woodland edges[7], and in the deeper shade of the woodland where it often forms dense carpets[6].
The flowers do not open in dull weather and even on sunny days do not open before about 9 o'clock in the morning and are closed by 5 o'clock in the evening[6].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[8].
Range: Nost of Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia.
Habitat: Woods, scrub, meadows, by streams etc, avoiding acid soils[9][3].
Edibility: Young leaves in spring - raw or cooked as a potherb[10][11][12][13]. The first leaves in spring make an excellent salad[9]. The leaves, stalks and buds can be used like spinach[9], whilst the blanched stems are also eaten[14][13]. The leaves turn poisonous as the fruit matures[11]. Caution is advised regarding the use of this plant for food, see the notes above on toxicity.
Bulbils - cooked and used as a vegetable[9][12]. The bulbils are formed at the leaf axils and also at the roots[9][13]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
The flower buds make a good substitute for capers[13].
Medicinal: Lesser celandine has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of haemorrhoids and ulcers[15]. It is not recommended for internal use because it contains several toxic components[15].
The whole plant, including the roots, is astringent[6][16][2]. It is harvested when flowering in March and April and dried for later use[6]. It is widely used as a remedy for piles and is considered almost a specific[6][2]. An infusion can be taken internally or it can be made into an ointment and used externally[6][2]. It is also applied externally to perineal damage after childbirth[2]. Some caution is advised because it can cause irritation to sensitive skins[17].
Usage: The flower petals are an effective tooth cleaner[18]. ( See notes at top of the page before using the petals)
The plant often forms dense carpets when grown in the shade and can therefore be used as a ground cover though they die down in early summer. This should be done with some caution, however, since the plant can easily become an unwanted and aggressive weed in the garden[K].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Mid Winter-Early Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous. The toxins are unstable and of low toxicity, they are easily destroyed by heat or by drying[19]. The sap can cause irritation to the skin[20].
Also Known As: Ficaria verna. F. ranunculoides.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Bulbs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.